Short Interest in Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATH) Increases By 33.5%

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATH) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 132,502 shares, an increase of 33.5% from the February 26th total of 99,240 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,115 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.9 days. Currently, 4.7% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Nathan’s Famous Price Performance

Shares of Nathan’s Famous stock traded up $0.19 during trading on Friday, hitting $100.68. 11,207 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 28,805. Nathan’s Famous has a 1 year low of $88.00 and a 1 year high of $118.50. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $100.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $100.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $411.78 million, a P/E ratio of 19.36 and a beta of 0.33.

Nathan’s Famous (NASDAQ:NATH) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The restaurant operator reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $34.31 million during the quarter. Nathan’s Famous had a negative return on equity of 182.42% and a net margin of 13.59%.

Nathan’s Famous Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 17th. Nathan’s Famous’s payout ratio is presently 38.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Nathan’s Famous in a report on Monday, December 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Buy”.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NATH. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in Nathan’s Famous by 204.7% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 387 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming bought a new position in shares of Nathan’s Famous during the 4th quarter valued at $59,000. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in shares of Nathan’s Famous by 142.0% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 692 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $77,000 after buying an additional 406 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its stake in shares of Nathan’s Famous by 351.6% in the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 1,007 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Nathan’s Famous by 75.7% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 884 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 381 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.54% of the company’s stock.

About Nathan’s Famous

Nathan’s Famous Inc is a quick-service restaurant company known for its signature all-beef hot dogs and classic American fast-food offerings. The company operates and franchises a network of dining outlets under the Nathan’s Famous brand, serving items such as hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries and specialty sides. In addition to its restaurant business, Nathan’s Famous markets frozen and refrigerated products to retail and foodservice customers across North America.

The company traces its origins to 1916, when founder Nathan Handwerker opened a modest walk-up stand on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.